Nepal Super League

Sandesh Sigdel, Kathmandu Defending champions Kathmandu RayZrs were dealt with a massive blow in their playoff bid in the second edition of the Nepal Super League after their 4-1 loss against Birgunj United FC in an encounter that could have taken them closer to the top four in case of any other upshot. William Opoku’s hat-trick and an own goal from Anjan Rai made up the four goals for Birgunj. But it was Kathmandu who stomped their foot first in the game. In the 20th minute, Nkengue Junior capitalized on a ball redirected towards him by Tej Tamang's unsuccessful clearance following Hisub Thapaliya's struggle to control a Kuldip Karki cross and put Kathmandu in front. However, in the 38th minute, Kathmandu wasted a big opportunity to double the lead through a penalty. Dipenk ...

Sandesh Sigdel, Kathmandu Jhapa FC terminated Dhangadhi FC's unbeaten streak by clinching a 2-0 victory on Wednesday, extending their own undefeated run to six matches. Jhapa’s win was made possible by second-half goals from Anjan Bista and Samiraj Thokar.  Right from the outset, it seemed as though victory was scripted for Jhapa. They had chances to score within the opening moments of the first quarter. Rohan Karki lost the pass made by Ahmad Hijazi to kick the game off and inadvertently gifted Jhapa with an opportunity but Jorge Sanchez squandered the opportunity and shot wide.  Dhangadhi had a chance to score just two minutes later but Ahmad Hijazi shot high after a good show of close control. Hijazi was the focal point of Dhangadhi's attack throughout the match and w...

Sandesh Sigdel, Kathmandu Refereeing changes and Dhangadhi head coach Yugal Kishor Rai’s disagreements regarding the change during half-time governed the post-match feelings of the 1-1 draw between Kathmandu RayZrs and Dhangadhi FC, the winners and runners-up of the first edition of Nepal Super League. Rai, at the post match press conference, was insistent on his dissent regarding the appointment of Nabindra Maharjan as the referee for the second half after Prajwol Chhetri, who officiated the first half couldn't continue due to an apparent injury. The match, however, keeping the replacement aside, was competitive. The teams were in it to win it but no result was possible except a draw. Ahmad Hijazi’s goal in the first half for Dhangadhi was canceled out by a Kingue Oliver he...

Sudesh Baniya, Kathmandu To say Ilam and Chitwan put up an evenly-poised competition would be true but for all the wrong reasons. The story on Saturday was of missed chances, flashes of great goalkeeping, and a counterbalance in tactics that did not lead to anything substantial for either side.  The first effort of the match that saw Samit Shrestha between the bars in place of suspended Ilam skipper Bikesh Kuthu fell to Rafiq Aminu in the second minute, an effort Shrestha comfortably dealt with towards his right.  Chitwan’s attack came from the left throughout the first half, with Tshiring Gurung, Aminu, and Torric Jebrin combining to put shots in Ilam’s post. Of the six attacks that Chitwan managed in the first half, most of which either went flying or ended up in ...

Sandesh Sigdel, Kathmandu In a match filled with first-half goals, Pokhara Thunders defeated Birgunj United FC to climb to second place in the Nepal Super League second edition table. The 2-1 win had goals from Joe Aidoo and Moses Gyabba for Pokhara, while Aikins Baffour scored one for Birgunj.  Pokhara started the proceedings quickly with Joe Aidoo’s left-footed strike from the edge of the box in just the sixth minute. Ayush Ghalan, showing what was to come for the rest of the match, dribbled past two defenders to toe-poke it to Stephen Annor who had the composure to pass it to Moses Gyabba. Moses’ effort was blocked and the ball fell for Aidoo at the edge of the box. Birgunj didn’t take much to respond and equalized in the 11th minute. Sushil Lama’s whipping delivery from t...

Sandesh Sigdel, Kathmandu In a match filled with controversial refereeing decisions, Birgunj United FC registered a late 2-1 win against Sporting Ilam FC to get their first win in the Nepal Super League. The match, heading towards a stalemate, was pushed towards controversy after Birgunj were awarded a penalty with an apparent handball from Suraj Basnet in the fourth minute of added time. Referee Kabin Byanjarkar was close when everything unfolded. Without much appeal from Birgunj, he proceeded to point to the spot, enraging Ilam players on the pitch as well as the ones in the dugout.  However, after a lengthy stop due to Ilam’s annoyance, William Opoku stepped up to score the penalty and hand his side their first-ever win. Keeping the final minutes aside, there were a few qu...